State awards Putnam $1M grant for library

Comment

By John Penney

The Bulletin

By John Penney

Posted Nov. 27, 2013 at 5:24 PM

By John Penney
Posted Nov. 27, 2013 at 5:24 PM

Library grant: The town of Putnam this week learned it will receive a $1 million state grant for a new library. The grant — the maximum amount available through the State Library Board — was approved on Nov. 25, the same day the town’s planning and finance boards approved the purchase of property for the new facility, pending voter approval.

The building: The town’s Library Exploratory Building Committee has recommended construction of a new, two-story library on Church Street, near the Quinebaug River and across from Town Hall. Officials have said a new building is needed to meet increased patron demand. The proposed library would include meeting space for 150 people that would be accessible after library hours; quiet rooms for tutoring and study; a computer lab; a local history room for collections, research and meetings; and a dedicated area for teens. Officials said a proposed handicapped-accessible space would also allow the library to offer more programs and services to seniors in town. The facility’s second floor would house the children’s library, with books, computers and a separate story-hour and craft room.

Voter approval: Before any construction begins, voters must approve the $300,000 land purchase. A town meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Putnam Middle School auditorium to discuss the proposal. The referendum vote on the purchase is scheduled for noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. at the town’s two regular polling places. If the vote passes, a second referendum, this time to approve the overall $7.8 million library project, would be held in February. Town officials plan to seek additional state funding for the project and will initiate a private donation campaign.

Quotable: “We have developed a plan that we believe will serve the library for decades, as well as provide community space in a central riverfront location,” said Chairman George Tsanjoures, chairman of the Library Exploratory Building Committee, in a press release. “This site will offer everyone an opportunity to enjoy this beautiful location on the Quinebaug River in downtown Putnam.”